Grader blade lifting link



Sept 10, 19 63 BANEK GRADER BLADE LIFTING LINK Filed April 5, 1961 ill Fig; 3

INVENTOR. ALBERT A. BANEK M ATTORNEY Fig.1

the accompanying drawing, in which- United States Patent Filed Apr. 5, 1961, Ser. No. 100,963 8 Claims. (Cl. 74-583) As a development from and an improvement in certain respects over the disclosures of my Letters Patent of the United States No. 2,851,904, issued on September 16, 1958, and No. 2,852,958, issued on September 23, 1958, this invention relates to blade lifting and support links of the general type extensively utilized in powered grader, scraper, andmaintainer equipment for altitudinal positioning and adjustment of a blade member relative to the surfact worked thereby, and has as an object to provide novel and improved such links employable with advantage in substitution for analogous members hitherto available.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and operatively advantageous combination of elements constituting a grader blade lifting and support link that is both resiliently variable and selectively adjustable as to length. i

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and operatively advantageous construction and correlation of elements in and as a grader blade lifting and support link that is both resiliently variable and selectively adjustable as to effective length.

A further object of the invention is. to provide a novel and improved grader blade lifting and support link that is selectively adjustable as to effective length in an organization resiliently length variable in automatic reaction to conditions'encountered by the associated blade and amenableto alternative adaptation as a rigid, length- A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved resiliently length variable grader blade lifting and support link conditioned to damp and to minimize .the effect of shocks and impacts imposed thereon which is selectively adjustable as to effective length without impairment of its operative resilience.

. constructions, that is' quickly and easily applicable to use association with appropriate equipment, that is susceptible of prompt adjustment and operative regulation as and while installed for use, that is rugged and durable, capable of long-continued operation with a minim-um of maintenance, and positive and efficient in attainment of the purposes for Which designed.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and operative combination of elements as hereinafter set forth,

pointed out in the appended claims, and illustrated by FIGURE, 1 is ,a side elevation of atypical link unit embodying the principles of the invention as organized in position of practicaluse, a shock absorber component of the assembly being shown in partial seotionandalternative positions of a relatively-adjustable member of the assembly being represented by broken lines.

FIGURE 2 is a section axially through the organization according to FIGURE 1 taken substantially on the indicated line 2-2 thereof.

'FIGURE 3 is a transverse section taken substantially on theindicated line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary, detail view of theupper end of the organization according toFIGURES 1 and 2 showing in partial section relatively movable elements in an alternative position of coaction as intersected by the plane indicated by the line 44- applied to FIGURE 2.

As explained in my earlier patents, above noted, powered grader, scraper, and maintainer equipment is characterized by a blade carried by and angularly adjustable in both horizontal and vertical planes relative to a mount tractively associated with the frame of a vehicle and susceptible of selective altitudinal adjustment at either or both of its ends through the agency of cranks, or the equivalent, which are connected at each side of the vehicle with the mount, or directly with the blade, by means of links. The blade lifting and support links are convenward yielding and return to adjusted position with a minimum of shock and impact effect, and it is further of frequent advantage to have available in association with the means operable to float the blade provision for selectively extending and retracting the effective length of each link unit associated with the blade, independently and without functional restriction of the resiliently-yieldable feature thereof, whereby to very much, and usefully, increase the angular adjustability of the blade ends in vertical planes. With retention of the operative features and.

advantages of the links disclosed in my earlier patents, the instant invention is directed to reorganization and improvement of structure applicable to enhance the operative flexibility and range, and to extend the utility, of the patented link units.

In a structural organization somewhat similar to that of the links disclosed in the above-menitioned patents, the improvement as represented by the views of the drawing includes as a major component a tubular barrel 10 closed at one end and there worked to the form of a fitting 11, such as a socket component of a ball-andsocket joint, cooperable with an adjustable crank member of grader, scraper, or maintainer equipment as an element of means for operatively connecting said. barrel thereto. In a length several times as great as its exterior diameter, the barrel 10 is formed with a pair. of elongated slots 12 opening in diametric registration through and longitudinally of its walls inwardly adjacent the end of the barrel mounting the fitting 1 1, and a peripheral groove exteriorly about said barrel and inwardly from the open end thereof seats a snap ring 13 disposed to function as a stop effective to limit in one direction relative displacement of a collar 14 loosely embracing the barrel between said slots and ring. The collar 14 serves in engagement with the stop ring 13 as an abutment fixed relative to the barrel 10. against which bears one end of a stiff, expansive coil spring 15 loosely telescoped over and exteriorly about the barrel .in an unloaded, maximum length such as to span at its other end over the inward end portions of the slots 12, whereby to clear the outer end portions of said slots from obstruction by said spring, and between the open end of the barrel 10 and the ring 13 a hole 16 intersects the walls of the barrel diametrically thereof.

, the. barrel 10 is closed by a solid block 17 integral therewith or permanently afiixed thereto and a hole diametrically of said block and the end of the associated member mounts a through pin 18 sized for reciprocable reception of its ends in the slots 12 and of a length approaching the maximum diameter of the spring 15. Insertable through the mounting hole of the block 17 and inner end of the member 17 when said hole is registered with portions of the slots 12 clear of the spring 15, the pin 18 is symmetrically disposed relative to said member with its opposite ends correspondingly and slidably received through the slots to overhang and engage at times with the adjacent end of the spring, in which disposition said pin is secured by means of a set screw 19 threadedly engaged in and radially of the member and block to bear at its inner end on a midportion of the pin, insertion of and access to said set screw being accommodated by the provision of the hole 20 intersecting a wall of the barrel in position to register with the location of the set screw when the member 17 is at the limit of its retraction within said barrel determined by engagement of the projecting ends of the pin 18 with the ends of the slots 12 adjacent the closed end of the barrel. Adapted to extend in all operative relationships at its open end through and outwardly well beyond the barrel 10, the member 17 is formed with a diametric hole 21 disposed to register with the corresponding hole 16 near the open end of the barrel when the member is at the limit of its retraction inwardly of the barrel, determined as above mentioned, and .thereby establish passage for a latch pin 22, or the equivalent, receivable therethrough for retention, as by means of a keeper 23, in an interlocking relation with the barrel and member inhibitive of their relative displacement. In spaced parallelism with the hole 21, a similar hole intersects the member 17 adjacent its open end, for purposes hereinafter explained.

In further functional and structural analogy with the disclosures of my earlier patents, an ofiset bracket 24 is fixed to and outstands radially from the barrel 10 adjacent the closed end thereof With its terminal arm radial of the barrel and inset longitudinally thereof from the point of bracket attachment thereto, a similar bracket 25 is fixed to the member 17 in complementary opposition to said bracket 24 such as to dispose its terminal arm parallel to and spaced longitudinally of the barrel 10 and member 17 from the corresponding arm of the bracket fixed to said barrel, and a shock absorber unit 26, of any appropriate type and construction, is engaged at itsends with and to span in spaced parallelism with the barrel 10 between the terminal arms of said brackets 24 and 25 to in an obvious manner minimize and damp the effect of shocks and impacts imposed upon and to relatively shift the reciprocably-associated barrel and member. The unit 26 may be of hydraulic, pneumatic,

or mechanical type, as may be deemed expedient or desirable, it may be arranged to apply damping effect in either one, or both, directions of relative barrel and member travel, and it is illustrated as a cylinder 27 having one closed end with an attaching eye 28 thereon, a hollow piston 29 fitted for coaxial reciprocation within said cylinder and provided with an attaching eye 30 on its closed end exterior to the cylinder, a metering flow aperture 31 through the piston end within the cylinder, and a bellows sleeve 32 engaged at its ends with .the cylinder and piston to close over the joint therebetween.

In accordance with and to give eliect to the principles of the instant invention, the barrel and member assembly organized as shown and described is completed for intended practical use through the provision of a cylindrical stem 33 telescopically received within the member 17 for reciprocation relative thereto in extension outwardly through the open end thereof. The stem 33 terminates exteriorly of the member 17 in a fitting 34, expediently the same as or similar to the fitting 1 1, cooperable with a fixture of an equipment blade, or its mount, as an element of means for operatively connecting the stem thereto, and said stem is formed with a spaced succession of like, diametnic holes 35 sized and disposed for selective registration with the hole through and adjacent the open end of the member 17, whereby to provide for selective coupling of said stem to and for movement with said member in adjusted extension therefrom by means of the latch pin 22, or the equivalent, removably retained in engagement through the hole adjacent the open end of the member and any one of the holes 35 registered therewith. Obviously, the holes 35 diametrically intersecting the stem 33 may be provided in any number and spacing axially of the stem appropriate to establish desired adjustability of the stem axially of the member, whereby to correspondingly determine the eifective length of the link unit so comprised, a factor incident to the practical arrangement of the holes 35 being an adjustment of the spacing therebetween such as will register one thereof with the hole 21 of the member 17 in every coupled rela tion of the stem and member effected by engagement of the pin 22 therethrough adjacent the open end of the member.

Operation, practicality, and advantages of the improvement should be generally apparent from the foregoing. Conventionally attached by their fittings 11 to the manipulating cranks of powered grader, scraper, or maintainer equipment and by their fittings 34 to the blade, or blade mount, of the same, two of the improved link units operatively support the blade in substitution for the links customarily employed. Coupled by means of their pins 22 in a corresponding extension of their stems 33 from the associated members 17, the links of consequently like effective length support the blade for vertical adjustment of either or both of its ends in a usual manner through the agency of the equipment cranks. When operating conditions require that pressure be'applied to the blade through the supporting links, the equipment cranks are actuated to retract the members 17 of the links in Wardly of their barrels to registration of the holes 16, 21, and one of the holes 35 of each link unit and a pin 22 isthen engaged through the so-registered holes of each link to interlock the movable elements thereof in and as a rigid unit- For other operating conditions wherein it is advantageous to float the blade free from applied pressure, the latch pins intercoupling the barrel '10 and member 17 of each unit are Withdrawn to permit the weight of the blade acting through the stem 33 secured in and to each member 17 to extend each of said members relative to its barrel until the pin 18 at the inner end thereof engages the upper end of the associated spring 15 and rides thereon with compressive efiect regulable by means of the equipment cranks, in which correlation of the link elements the pin 18 of each link unit may oscillate in and through the range of the slots 12 of its barrel in reaction to influences tending to raise, lower, or impede the blade and subject to the oscillation-damping restraint of the shock absorber 26. In either operating arrangement of the link units, whether resiliently length variable or rigidly length stabilized, either or both of the improved links supporting the blade may be optionally adjusted as to effective length through variation of stem 33 extension from the associated member 17 conveniently accomplished by relocation of the pin- 22 adjacent the lower end of the member in latching coaction with a selected different one of the holes 35, whereby, as desired, to very much enlarge the available range of blade angular adjustment in vertical planes susceptible of regulation, in every correlation of link unit lengths, by the equipment. As a consequence of the link unit length adjustment just discussed, it has proved to be feasible to work shoulders and embankments by otherwise conventional equipment at inclinations and slopes steep beyond the capacity of the equipment as hitherto organized.

Since changes, variations, and modification in the form, construction, and arrangement of the elements shown and described may be had without departing from the spirit of my invention, 1 wish to be understood as being limited solely by the scope of the appended claims, rather than by any details of the illustrative showing and foregoing description.

I claim as my invention- 1. A grader blade lifting link comprising a tubular barrel having one open end and a closed opposite end mounting an attachment fitting, a tubular member having one open and an opposite closed end reciprocably coaxial with and substantially filling said barrel in extension at its open end outwardly through and beyond the open end of the barrel, means intercoupling said barrel and member for limited relative reciprocation, spring means correlated with said intercoupling means to resiliently oppose extension of said member from the barrel during the later portion of member travel outwardly relative to the barrel, shock-absorber means of fiuid type exteriorly paralleling and operatively interlinking said barrel and member to damp and cushion the oscillations of their relative reciprocation, means for optionally immobilizing said member relative to the barrel at the inward limit of their reciprocable range, a stem mounting an attachment fitting at one end reciprocably housed in said member in projection of its end mounting the attachment fitting outwardly fromthe open end of the member, and means for selectively immobilizing said stem relative to the member in any one of several positions of extension outwardly therefrom.

2. A grader blade lifting link comprising a tubular barrel having one open end and a closed opposite end mounting an attachment fitting, said barrel being formed with diametrically-opposed, elongated slots longitudinally of its closed end portion, a tubular member having a closure obstructing one end reciprocably coam'al with and substantially filling said barrel in extension at its open end outwardly through and beyond the open end of the barrel and exposure of its closed end through said slots, a pin fixed diametrically through the closure and associated end of said member to project at each end loosely through and outwardly beyond one of said slots, whereby to intercouple said barrel and member for relative reciprocation' through a range determined by the length of the slots, a radially-projecting abutment exteriorly embracing said barrel inwardly adjacent the open end thereof, an expansive coil spring exteriorly about the barrel end-engaged with said abutment in a length to overlap upon and terminate between the ends of said slots in opposition to the ends of said pin projecting therethrough, shock-absorber means of fiuid type exteriorlyparalleling and operatively interlinkin-g said barrel and member to damp and cushion the oscillations of their-relative reciprocation, means for optionally immobilizing said member relative to the barrel at the inward limit of their recipr'ocable range, :a stem mounting an attachment fitting at one end reciprocably housed in said member-in projection of its end mounting the attachment fitting outwardly from the open end of the member, and means for selectively immobilizing said stem relative to the memher in any one of several positions of extension outwardly therefrom.

3. A grader blade lifting link comprising 19. tubular barrel having one open end and a closed opposite end mounting an attachment fitting, said barrel being formed with diametrically-opposed, elongated slots longitudinally of its closed end portion and an annular groove exterior-1y thereabout inwardly adjacent its open end, a tubular member having a closure obstructing one end reciprocably coaxial with and substantially filling said barrel in extension at its open end outwardly through and beyond the open end of the barrel and exposure of its closed end through said slots, a pin fixed diametrically through the closure and associated end of said member to project at each end loosely through and beyond one of said slots, whereby to interconple said barrel and member for relative reciprocation through a range determined by the length of the slots, a snap ring engaged in the groove exteriorly of said barrel to outstand radially of the latter, an annular collar slidably embracing the barrel inwardly with respect to said snap ring and therewith coactable as an abutment immobilized in one direction of shift along the barrel, an expansive coil spring exteriorly about the barrel inwardly from and end-engaged with said collar in a length to overlap upon and terminate between the ends of said slots in opposition to the ends of said pin projecting therethrough, when the collar abuts said snap ring, shock-absorber means of fluid type exteriorly panalleling and operatively interlinking said barrel and member to damp and' cushion the oscillations of their relative reciprocation, means for optionally immobilizing said member relative to the barrel at the inward limit of their reciprooable range, a stem mounting an attachment fitting at one endreciprocably housed in said member in projection of its end mounting the attachment fitting outwardly from the open end of the member, andmeans for selectively immobilizing said stem relative to the member in any one of several positions of extension outwardly therefrom.

4. A grader blade lifting link comprising a tubular barrel having one open end and a closed opposite end mounting an attachment fitting, a tubular member having one open end, 'a hole diametrically of and inwardly adjacent said open end, and an opposite closed end reciprocably coaxial with and substantially filling said barrel in extension at its open end outwardly through and beyond the open end of the barrel, means intercoupling said barel and member for limited relative reciprocation, spring means correlated with said intercoup-ling means to resiliently oppose extension of said member from the barrel durinthe later portion of member travel outwardly relative to the barrel, shock-absorber means, of fluid type exteriorly paralleling and operatively interlinlring said barrel and member to damp and cushion the oscillations of their relative reciprocation, means for optionally immobilizing said member relative to the barrel at the inward limit of their reciprocable range, a stern mounting an attachment fitting at one end reciprocably housed in said member in projection of its end mounting the attachment fitting outwardly from the open end of the member, said stem being formed with a spaced succession of diametric holes disposed for selective registration with the hole adjacent the open end of the member, and a locking pin interchangeably traversing the hole at the open end of the member and a co-registered one of the holes through the stern effective to immobilize said stem relative to the member in an expedient position of extension outwardly therefrom.

5. A grader blade lifting link comprisinga tubular barrel having one open end and -a closed opposite end yber having a closure obstructing one end, an opposite open end, and a hole diametrically of and. inwardly adjacent said open end reciprocally coaxial with and, substan? tially fillingsaid barrel in extension of its open end outwardly through and beyond the open end of the barrel and exposure of its closed end through said slots, a pin fixed diametrically through the closure and associated end of the member to project at each end through and beyond one of said slots, whereby to intercouple said barrel and member for relative reciprocation through a range determined by the length of the slots, a snap ring engaged in the groove exteriorly of said barrel to outstand radially of the latter, an annular collar slidably embracing the barrel inwardly with respect to said snap ring and therewith coactable as an abutment immobilized in one direction of shift along the barrel, an expansive coil spring about the barrel inwardly from and end-engaged with said collar in a length to overlap upon and terminate between the ends :of said slots in opposition to the ends of said pin projecting therethrough when the collar abuts said snap ring, shock-absorber means of fluid type exteriorly paralleling and operatively interlinking said barrel and member to damp and cushion the oscillations of their relative reciprocation, means for optionally immobilizing said member relative to the barrel at the inward limit of their reciprocable range, ,a stem mounting an attachment fitting atone end reciprocably housed in said member in projection of its end mounting the attachmentfitting outwardly from the open end of the member, said stem being 'formed with a spaced succession of diametric holes disposed for selective registration with the hole adjacent the open end of the memher, and a locking pin interchangeably traversing the hole at the open end of the member and a (o-registered one of the holes through the stem effective to immobilize said stem relative to the member in an expedient adjusted through the open end of the latter in reciprocable relation 7 therewith, means including a pin fixed diametrically of said member with its ends exposed in radial projection exteriorly of the barrel intercoupling said barrel and member for limited relative reciprocation, means for optionally immobilizing said member relative to the barrel at the inward limit of their reciprocable range, an ex pansive coil spring exteriorly about the barrel adapted to resiliently Oppose shift of the exposed ends of said pin toward the outward limit of the reciprocable range determined by said intercoupling means, and shock-absorber means exteriorly paralleling and operatively interlinking said barrel and member to damp and cushion the oscillations of their relative reciprocation, the improvement 'which comprises a stem mounting an attachment fitting at one end coaxially and reciprocably housed in said member in projection of its end carrying said fitting outward with respect to said member and away from the open end of the barrel, and means tor selectively immobilizing said stem relative to the member in any one of several positions of extension therefrom.

7. In a grader blade lifting link having a tubular barrel formed with one open end and a closed opposite end mounting an attachment fitting, a member longer than said barrel substantially filling and extending outwardly through the open end of the latter in reciprocable relation therewith, means including a pin fixed diametrically of said member with its ends exposed in radial projection exteriorly of the barrel intercoupling said barrel and member for limited relative reciprocation, means for optionally immobilizing said member relative to thebarrel at the inward limit of their recipnooable range, an expansive coil spring exteriorly about the barrel adapted to resiliently oppose shift of the exposed ends of said pin toward the outward limit of the reciprocable range determined by said intercoup'hng means, and shock-absorber said barrel and member to damp and cushion the oscil- 8 lations of their relative reciprocation, the improvement which comprises :a hole formed diametrically and adjacent the outward end of said member, a stern mounting an attachment fitting at one end .coaxially and reciprocably housed in said member in projection of its end carrying said fitting outward with respect to said member and away from the open end of the barrel, said stem being formed with a spaced succession of transverse holes disposed for selective'registnation with the hole adjacent the outward end of the member, and a locking pin interchangeably traversing the hole adjacent the outward end of the member and a rec-registered one of the holes through the stem eflective to immobilize said stem relative to the member in an expedient adjusted position of extension outwardly therefrom.

8. In a grader blade lifting link having a tubular barrel formed with one open end and a closed opposite end mounting an attachment fitting, a member longer than said barrel substantially filling and extending outwardly through the open end of the latter in reciprocable relation therewith, means including a pin fixed diametrically of said member with its ends exposed in radial projection exteriorly of the barrel intercoupling said barrel and member for limited relative reciprocation, means for optionally immobilizing said member relative to the barrel at the inward limit of their reciprocable range, an expansive coil spring exteriorly about the barrel adapted to resiliently oppose shift of the exposed ends of said pin toward the outward limit of the reciprocable range determined by said intercoupling means, and shocleabsorber means exteriorly paralleling and operatively interlinking said barrel and member to damp and cushion the oscillations of their relative reciprocation, the improvements which comprise a disposition and length correlation of said spring effective in an unloaded condition of the spring to engage with and resiliently oppose shift of the ends of the pin during only the later portion of member travel outwardly of the barrel Within its range of relative reciprocation, whereby to tree the intercoupling means from the influence of the spring during that portion of the range of relative reciprocation contiguous to the inward limit thereof, a hole formed diametrically and adjacent the outward end of said member, a stem mounting an attachment fitting at one end coaxially and reciprocably housed in said member in projection of its end carrying said fitting outward with respect to said member and away from the open end of the barrel, said stem being formed with a spaced succession of transverse holes disposed for selective registration with the hole adjacent the outward end of the member, and a locking pin inter changeably traversing the hole adjacent the outwand end of the member and co-registered one of the holes through the stern effective to immobilize said stem relative to the member in an expedient adjusted position of extension outwardly therefrom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. A GRADER BLADE LIFTING LINK COMPRISING A TUBULAR BARREL HAVING ONE OPEN END AND A CLOSED OPPOSITE END MOUNTING AN ATTACHMENT FITTING, A TUBULAR MEMBER HAVING ONE OPEN AND AN OPPOSITE CLOSED END RECIPROCABLY COAXIAL WITH AND SUBSTANTIALLY FILLING SAID BARREL IN EXTENSION AT ITS OPEN END OUTWARDLY THROUGH AND BEYOND THE OPEN END OF THE BARREL, MEANS INTERCOUPLING SAID BARREL AND MEMBER FOR LIMITED RELATIVE RECIPROCATION, SPRING MEANS CORRELATED WITH SAID INTERCOUPLING MEANS TO RESILIENTLY OPPOSE EXTENSION OF SAID MEMBER FROM THE BARREL DURING THE LATER PORTION OF MEMBER TRAVEL OUTWARDLY RELATIVE TO THE BARREL, SHOCK-ABSORBER MEANS OF FLUID TYPE EXTERIORLY PARALLELING AND OPERATIVELY INTERLINKING SAID BARREL AND MEMBER TO DAMP AND CUSHION THE OSCILLATIONS OF THEIR RELATIVE RECIPROCATION, MEANS FOR OPTIONALLY IMMOBILIZING SAID MEMBER RELATIVE TO THE BARREL AT THE INWARD LIMIT OF THEIR RECIPROCABLE RANGE, A STEM MOUNTING AN ATTACHMENT FITTING AT ONE END RECIPROCABLY HOUSED IN SAID MEMBER IN PROJECTION OF ITS END MOUNTING THE ATTACHMENT FITTING OUTWARDLY FROM THE OPEN END OF THE MEMBER, AND MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY IMMOBILIZING SAID STEM RELATIVE TO THE MEMBER IN ANY ONE OF SEVERAL POSITIONS OF EXTENSION OUTWARDLY THEREFROM. 